My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy.
-Mary Shelley
Nature is enchanting. When I need a break from what feels like a Frankenstein’s monster of bad news and chaos, I walk across the site. While the past is never blotted out, I feel a renewed sense of tranquility. And from my office window, I see many of you taking a break from the chaos all around us by coming to Columbia Springs as well.
As we begin a new year, I am reminded how much we all need nature and how grateful I am to you for being a part of our journey.
Thanks to you, we are fulfilling our vision of creating a place to explore, experience, and learn. Kids and adults are learning about the environment and their place in protecting it. We have remained active in bringing preservation and restoration into the community:
- at Repair Clark County, where household items can find new life rather than a spot in a landfill
- in the Salmon in the Classroom program, where students learn how critical salmon are to our ecosystem and our community
2022 will be a year filled with more site restoration, more interpretation, and a big dam project. The replacement of the West Biddle Dam will not only preserve the work that we do. It will show how stewardship and restoration can impact the future.
This year, we are looking forward to a return to more activities at Columbia Springs: full day field trips, summer camp, and nature days where kids and families can discover the joy of nature together — reinforcing the idea we can navigate the pandemic by maintaining our connection to the natural world.
To see the impact of your gift, visit us! You can do so in person, online at www.columbiasprings.org, or when you call us at 360-882-0936. We’re so grateful for your support and we’re anticipating an exciting, even joyous, new year.
Best wishes for a wonderful 2022,
Katherine Cory
Executive Director